Can speech-language IEP goals be the same as Common Core State Standards goals?

Speech-language goals should NOT be taken directly from the Common Core, especially those specified for the grade level at which the child is currently performing. The CCSS are general educational standards for the grade level; therefore, their use by SLPs implies that the clients/students do not require special education. IEP goals should be written to accomplish the tasks that underlie achievement of Standards.

For example, sequencing items may be required for a student to achieve a grade-level standard. The IEP should be written to achieve sequencing to enable the student to meet that Common Core Standard at that grade level. SLPs operate in a developmental model; the SLP may need to first determine the level at which the student is performing and then identify skills appropriate for the student's current level of learning. That level may be a year or two lower than the student's current grade level.

How can SLPs link intervention goals to CCSS when there are communication skills to address?

Blosser et al. (2012) suggest that SLPs use either a standards-referenced approach or a standards-based approach to develop relevant goals and activities. In the standards-referenced approach, the SLP and team develop the goals and then identify the standards that best match the goals. In the standards-based model, the standard serves as the starting point for generating the goals and objectives.

What are some communication skills associated with the CCSS that are critical for students to perform successfully?

The English Language Arts standards present a logical starting point because they include reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language; attaining related goals requires critical communication skills. To begin the process, SLPs can obtain a summary of the progression of expectations for the content areas from grade to grade and then determine the communication skills required to meet those expectations.

What process would you use to align speech-language goals with the CCSS?

The 6-step process below was developed by Power deFur and Flynn.

Do states have speech-language pathology goals banks that are tied to the CCSS?

To date, ASHA is not aware of any state that has developed IEP goals tied to the CCSS. The drawback to this approach is that it undermines individualization-a concept that reflects best practice and is expressed in the mandate for individualized instruction (i.e., Individualized Education Plan).

Are there specific assessments that provide information on how a student is performing in relation to the CCSS?

At this time there are no assessments that align exactly with the communication goals of the CCSS. Some companies are in the development phase of this process. Additionally, many new versions of tests are more educationally relevant (e.g., CELF) and focus on communication skills found in the Common Core.

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The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 186,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students.